The dessert is not comparable with HK, but it’s not bad, depending on the season b/c the mango is not always sweet.

Fresh fruits combine with traditional Chinese desserts at this popular chain from Hong Kong. If you’re not familiar with HK desserts, some of the terms on the menu will confuse you.

Sago – Very similar to tapioca, but made from a different plant.

Glutinous rice balls – Glutinous rice is a type of short-grained Asian rice that becomes very sticky when cooked. This type of rice is often ground into flour or mashed to make soft rice cakes and mochi.

Black glutinous rice – A variation of rice that is high in nutritional and medicinal value (not to mention delicious).

Crystal snow – Derived from snow frogs. Good for the complexion and aids digestion.

Kwai ling ko – Turtle shell extract. Good for the skin and for detoxifying the body.

Bird’s nest – Promotes growth and tissue repair to the benefit of your skin and immune system. (The Chinese are big on having good skin!)

They advertise their desserts as being healthy, but by that they use very Chinese definitions of healthy. Fresh fruits are definitely healthy, and the specialty items are traditionally known to be healthy in Chinese medicine but I’m not sure if there has been any Western research on the health benefits. Regarldess, it would probably be better than any chocolate/cheesecake/ice cream/cake/sugar/whipped cream filled Western-styled counterpart.

Mango items are their specialty, as you will be able to tell by the multitude of fresh mango, mango pudding, mango juice, mango jelly, and mango ice cream on their menu. They offer some of their desserts in drink form, and they have some savory foods that I haven’t tried. I love getting any one of their dishes that have mango, ice cream, coconut juice, or black glutinous rice.

In terms of service, I never really paid attention because honestly, that’s not what you go to a Chinese establishment for. You go for the food. My first time at the San Francisco location, several years ago, their decor used to be rather sparse with these weird low sprawling lounge chairs. However, they have since replaced those with more solid feeling Chinese-antique styled wooden tables and chairs. This place is usually pretty crowded with groups of young Asians. Luckily it is also open late (12am Sun-Thurs, and 2am Fri-Sat).